Old will be new again at the 15th annual Steam Threshers Reunion Aug. 27-29, as a completely restored Oliver ’55 tractor produced in the 1950s makes its debut, ready for auction.
The old farm machine, which was donated to the Waterloo County Steam Threshers’ Reunion Committee, was recently restored, rebuilt and revamped and now it’s as good and new.
“It looks like it would be coming off the factory line back in the fifties or early sixties when it was built – they really did a great job on it,” said committee member Gary Froese. “It’s totally restored.”
The old machine was donated and so too were new parts and labour.
The Oliver tractor will be auctioned off at the event and the garnered proceeds are destined for the Gospel Echoes Team prison ministry.
Needless to say, organizers are hoping for good weather and a great turnout.
“A well-attended auction always brings you more money,” said Froese, noting that before the tractor was stripped down, repaired and repainted, it looked like a typical worn farm tractor several decades old. But after the volunteers got their hands and tools on it, the machine now looks as good as new.
“This one definitely does not need any work to it … you could take the tractor out and do whatever you want with it – it’s field ready or show ready or whatever.”
Also on tap at the event will be an all colour tractor show, displays of past and present Waterloo County industries, steam threshing displays, antique tractors, wagon rides (courtesy of Froese and his team of heavy horses), a children’s bouncy castle, plowing displays, a tractor run, gospel singing, and a wide variety of local foods.
The three-day event takes place at Amsey Metzger’s farm, R.R. 1 Wallenstein, 7590 Line 86.
For more information, call Metzger at 519-698-2944.
